The Angels traded Ervin Santana to the Royals earlier today, the first of what figures to be many moves out of Anaheim this offseason. Here's the latest on baseball's two West divisions…
- The Angels are still working to trade Dan Haren and expect to move him by Friday, reports ESPN's Jim Bowden (Twitter links). Haren will bring a much bigger return that what they received for Santana, adds Bowden.
- Angels GM Jerry Dipoto acknowledged that "in all likelihood we weren't going to exercise (Santana's) option … We got piece we didn't have," reports Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times (on Twitter).
- Re-signing Zack Greinke is a "huge priority" for the Angels, says Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Part of the club's motivation to move Santana (and Haren) was to free up money for Greinke.
- The Angels are showing no inclination of making Torii Hunter a $13.3MM qualifying offer by this Friday's deadline, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale (on Twitter). The Halos will not receive draft pick compensation if Hunter signs elsewhere in that case.
- Marco Scutaro told Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com that his first choice this offseason is to re-sign with the Giants (Twitter link). When asked what kind of contract he was seeking, the infielder joked "15 years, three thousand million dollars."
- "There's a market established," said Jeremy Affeldt to Baggarly in reference to Brandon League's new contract (Twitter link). The veteran southpaw said he will cherish his time with the Giants if he doesn't re-sign with them.
- Oliver Perez pitched to a 2.12 ERA in 29 2/3 relief innings for the Mariners this year, and he told MLB.com's Josh Liebeskind that he enjoyed his new role and would like to remain in the bullpen going forward. Perez will be a free agent this offseason.
- The Dodgers will hire Bob Engle as their Latin America scouting director, reports Bob Elliott of The Toronto Sun (on Twitter). Engle left the Mariners this month and had previously worked with the Blue Jays as well. He's responsible for signing Roy Halladay and Felix Hernandez as amateurs, among others.
ugotrpk3113
Love Scutaro. Come back to Boston please.
Shane McMahon
Reminds me of David Eckstein or Mike Bordick. Does what his role specifies and does it very well.
Steve Svendsen
Why would he want to go from world series champs to (I’m sorry for stating it like this because I respect Boston fans who are actually from Boston, BUT) a train wreck? He’s only got one or two more years left. I think he will finish things out in orange and black. He established an unreal following during his brief time here.
ugotrpk3113
More wishful thinking. He’s a smart guy – He’s not coming back here.
bigpat
Angles shedding salary on overpaid vets, Dodgers adding salary with overpaid vets. Should be a fun offseason.
$7562574
if the angels trade haren how are they going to fill the rotation? korean pitchers? trade for price or shield? josh johnson? 140 mph throwing big foot from himalayan mountains?
ugotrpk3113
Chet Stedman might still be kicking around in Chicago. Could be a match.
cookmeister
resign Greinke, put Richards in the rotation, then either sign a FA or have Willaims/Maronde battle it out for the 5th spot would be my guess
Beatofficer
I hope Affeldt takes a discount for a team he got two rings with and a fan base that loves him, but from those comments I doubt it. 🙁
gmenfan 2
I feel like the Giants’ free agents fall into two categories: the ones that weren’t here for 2010 and the ones that were. For guys like Pagan and Scutaro, this was their first time getting a ring and they may be caught up in the moment this offseason and may be more eager to stay. Not that it becomes any less special, but with guys like Affeldt, they’ve picked up two rings already and they are ready to get paid. The fact that the Dodgers were eager(misguided ?) enough to toss money hand over fist into League’s bank account certainly doesn’t dissuade him of that idea.
My guess … Pagan and Scutaro are back, Affeldt is not.
Steve Svendsen
I would rather have Affeldt on a 3 year deal in the 18 mil range and field offers for Javy Lopez than let Affeldt walk. He really showed how much more he means to the bullpen by getting righties and lefties out this year. I don’t think the Giants would want to spend a total of $12+ million annually on left handed relievers (not even counting Mijares).
gmenfan 2
Agreed. I really like both but Affeldt’s ability to get lefties AND righties out makes him a way more valuable commodity.
Twins91
Twins?